Compression garment enhanced with hemp fibers

ABSTRACT

Hemp fibers may be disposed throughout or in selected portions of a compression garment (e.g., glove, posture support garment, pants, leggings, tights, shorts, long sleeve top, short sleeve top, sock, etc.). The hemp fibers deployed in the compression garment enhance the durability of the compression garment, and imparts various advantageous properties (e.g., anti-microbial or anti-bacterial, mildew-resistant, odor reduction, moisture wicking, etc.) to the compression garment, enabling the compression garment to be provided with comfort and style.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on, and claims the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/865,416 filed on Jun. 24, 2019.

BACKGROUND

Compression garments include a variety of items of clothing designed tofit tightly around a user's skin. Compression garments are generallyconstructed of synthetic rubbers such as neoprene, or some combinationof cotton, spandex, or polyester. Many people may wear compressionshorts, socks, tights, and other garments during athletic performance toimprove blood flow to the muscles, thereby improving athleticperformance. Compression garments are also commonly used when notparticipating in athletic activities to reduce muscle soreness, treatpain, enhance recovery, reduce swelling, especially during travel,provide support, breathability, provide comfort, and insulation fromexternal elements (e.g., rain, wind, etc.).

SUMMARY

The properties of a compression garment can be improved or enhanced bydispersing hemp fibers in, or weaving hemp fibers into, a material ofthe compression garment. Since hemp fibers naturally hold their shapeand stretch less than other natural fibers, it would be counterintuitiveto employ them in a compression garment, as they would not be expectedto contribute to the compression of the garment. However, the inventordetermined that it would nevertheless be advantageous to employ hempfibers in a compression garment (e.g., glove, posture support garment,pants, leggings, tights, shorts, long sleeve top, short sleeve top,sock, etc.). For example, the superior tensile strength of hemp fibersenable a compression garment to have improved durability. Further, theporous structure of hemp fibers permit them to impart to a compressiongarment other desirable properties, such as moisture wicking, coolingand/or soothing effect, anti-microbial or anti-bacterial,mildew-resistant, odor reduction, UV (ultraviolet radiation) shieldingetc. Such properties enable a compression garment with selectivelydispersed hemp fibers to have comfort and style.

Hemp fibers can be dispersed throughout a material of a compressiongarment. On the other hand, in some exemplary embodiments, a density ofhemp fibers dispersed in, or woven into a material of, some portions ofthe compression garment is greater than that in other areas of thecompression garment, such that the advantageous properties areparticularly enhanced in said portions of the compression garment havinghigher density of hemp fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the subject matter of this disclosure can be morereadily understood from the following detailed description withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a posture support garment;

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the posture support garmentillustrated in FIG. 1, as an example of a compression garment, inaccordance with an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the posture support garment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the posture support garment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 shows a right side view of the posture support garmentillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 shows a left side view of the posture support garment illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the posture support garment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the posture support garment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of a compression glove, as anexample of a compression garment, in accordance with an embodiment ofthis disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a back perspective view of the compression gloveillustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the compression glove illustrated in FIG.9;

FIG. 12 shows a back view of the compression glove illustrated in FIG.10;

FIG. 13 shows a right side view of the compression glove illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 14 shows a left side view of the compression glove illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the compression glove illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10;

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the compression glove illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 17 shows another back perspective view of the compression gloveillustrated in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 18 shows a notional view of a compression sock, in accordance withanother embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of novel compression garments incorporating fibersfrom the Cannabis hemp plant are discussed herein. The compressiongarments can include a variety of items of clothing, such as, forexample, gloves, posture support devices, pants, leggings, tights,shorts, long sleeve tops, short sleeve tops, socks, etc. According tocertain exemplary embodiments, compression garments can be constructedof one or more of cotton, spandex, neoprene, polyester, and includefibers from the hemp plant. According to certain exemplary embodiments,compression garments can be constructed of a combination of cotton,spandex, and hemp fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the compressiongarment can be constructed of 80% cotton, 11% spandex, and 9% hempfibers. According to certain exemplary embodiments, compression garmentscan be constructed of polyester and hemp fibers. In a preferredembodiment, compression garment can be constructed of 92% polyester and8% hemp fibers.

Hemp fibers hold their shape, stretching less than other natural fibers,and therefore typically would not be intuitively considered to be usedas a material for compression clothing, as it would not contribute tothe compression of the garment. However, the inventor found that thereare many benefits to using hemp fibers in compressive garments. Forexample, while compressive garments are typically put through greaterstress, relative to normal clothing, conventional compression garment,in use, experience more wear and tear. However, such effects can bealleviated by employing hemp fibers in the material of the compressiongarments, since hemp fibers are one of the most durable fibers and alsohave incredible tensile strength (that is higher than those of, e.g.,steel and nylon).

Additionally, hemp fibers are porous, facilitating comfort and style ofcompression garments that employ hemp fibers. For example, such porousstructure enhances ventilation through the compression garments andgives the garments a moisture wicking property (e.g., to draw sweat orperspiration away from the user's skin), making them a good choice forwarm and/or humid weather. Further, hemp fibers can impart a cooling orsoothing effect to the compression garment, thereby rendering thegarment more suitable for therapeutic use, as well as for use at highlevels of strenuous and/or other physical activities, even when weatheris not an issue.

In addition, the porous structure of hemp fibers in the compressiongarment permits the material to be dyed more readily and to retain itscolor, advantageously as compared to other textile materials. Further,hemp fibers naturally impart anti-microbial or anti-bacterialproperties, as well as mildew-resistant properties, to the compressiongarment, as well as reduce odor in the compression garment. Also, thehemp fibers deployed in a compression garment give the compressiongarment a UV shielding property to shield the user of the compressivegarnet, from ultraviolet radiation.

Further, the more hemp fiber is used, the softer it gets (whilemaintaining high tensile strength). Hemp is an extremely fast-growingcrop, making it an environmentally friendly crop.

An embodiment of a novel compression hand glove is discussed herein withreference to FIGS. 9-17 in the attached drawings. A compression handglove may be beneficial for providing compressive, soothing comfort, andsupport to a user's wrists, fingers, and hand. The exemplary hand glovecan be beneficial in treating conditions such as swelling, arthritis,and joint stiffness. Compression hand glove can be designed and shapedlike any type of hand glove. Compression hand glove can include fingerportions, thumb portion, wrist portion, and hand portion. Fingerportions can be sized and dimensioned to partially or fully cover thefingers and/or fingertips of the user's fingers. For example, fingerportions can partially or substantially cover the proximal phalanx bonesof a user's fingers but leave the middle phalanx bones, distal phalanxbones, and fingertips of the user's fingers exposed. Alternatively,finger portions can partially or substantially cover the middle phalanxbones of the user's fingers leaving only the distal phalanx bones andtips of a user's fingers exposed. Alternatively, as shown in theattached drawings, finger portions can substantially cover the distalphalanx bones of the user's fingers leaving only a portion of the distalphalanx bones and tips of the user's fingers exposed. A thumb portion ofa compressive hand glove can be sized and dimensioned to partially orsubstantially cover the thumb of a user's hand. For example, a thumbportion can substantially cover the proximal phalanx bone of a user'sthumb, leaving the distal phalanx bone and the tip of the user's thumbexposed. Alternatively, a thumb portion can substantially cover thedistal portion of a user's thumb leaving only a portion of the distalphalanx bone and the tip of the user's thumb exposed. A wrist portion ofa compressive hand glove can be sized and dimensioned to partially orsubstantially cover a user's wrist. For example, a wrist portion of acompression hand glove can partially cover a user's wrist and extend tothe heel of the user's palm. Alternatively, a wrist portion cansubstantially cover a user's wrist and extend to the user's forearm. Ahand portion of a compressive hand glove can be sized and dimensioned tosubstantially cover a user's palm and the back of the user's hand. In apreferred embodiment, shown in the attached drawings, a compression handglove includes finger portions sized and dimensioned to substantiallycover the proximal, middle, and distal phalanx bones of a user'sfingers, but leaving the fingertips exposed, a thumb portion sized anddimensioned to substantially cover the distal phalanx bone of the thumbof the user, leaving a portion of the distal phalanx bone and the tip ofthe user's thumb exposed, a hand portion, and a wrist portion sized anddimensioned to cover the user's wrist and extending to the user'sforearm.

A compression hand glove can be designed to be soft to the touch and tobe absorbent so as to wick moisture away, thereby making a user's handfeel cool and comfortable. A compression hand glove can allow a user tofreely and effortlessly wear the glove without restricting the use oftheir fingers. This may be helpful, for example, when a user wishes towear compression hand gloves while continuing to engage in activitiesinvolving the use of their fingers. Activities that require the use oftheir fingers can include, for example, hobbies such as knitting,croqueting, using a touch screen (such as on a smart phone, a tablet, acomputer, etc.), or opening jars.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a compression hand glove can beconstructed of a combination of polyester, neoprene, cotton, or spandex,and hemp fiber. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the handglove can be constructed of a combination of cotton, spandex, and hempfiber. For example, the hand glove can be constructed of a combinationof approximately 50-80% cotton, approximately 5-15% spandex, andapproximately 5-15% hemp fiber. Alternatively, the materials can bevaried to include different proportions of cotton, spandex, and hempfiber. For example, the glove can include approximately 5%, 10%, 15%,20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, etc. hemp fiber. In a preferredembodiment, the hand glove can be constructed of approximately 80%cotton, approximately 11% spandex, and approximately 9% hemp fiber.

In another embodiment (FIGS. 1-8) of this disclosure, a novelcompression posture support garment is provided. A compression posturesupport garment may be beneficial in improving a user's overall postureby reducing slouching, hunching over, or text neck. Compression posturesupport garment can further help reduce poor circulation, sore muscles,neck slouch, belly rolls, and curvature of the back. For example,compression posture support garment can be designed to cover a user'sthoracic vertebrae up until the base of their neck, wrap around theirshoulder blades, so as to provide alignment of the shoulders and spine.Compression posture support garment can include a back portion, shoulderstraps, and waistband. Back portion of compression posture supportgarment can be sized and dimensioned to substantially cover a user'sthoracic vertebrae and can include a curvature corresponding to a user'sneck so as to lay flat around the base of the user's neck. For example,the length of back portion can extend from a user's neck, at or belowthe cervical portion of the backbone, and cover substantially the entirethoracic vertebrae. The width of back portion can substantially coverthe rhomboid minor, rhomboid major, and a portion of the latissimusdorsi muscles. Back portion can be sized and dimensioned so as not tocover the shoulder blades of a user thereby enabling free movement ofthe user's arms while the compression posture support garment is in use.Waistband of compression posture support garment can be coupled to abottom portion of back portion and can be sized and dimensioned tosecure compression posture support garment around a user's waist. Forexample, waistband can have an adjustable length and include one or morefasteners such that it performs like a belt, thereby allowing a user toadjust the length of waistband and secure waistband around their waist.One or more fasteners can be any type of fastener configured toselectably adjust the length of waistband. For example, one or morefasteners can be a D-ring buckle, tongue buckle, hook and loop closure,ladder lock, side-release buckle, or any other type of fastener known inthe art. Frontside of waistband can include tapered portionscorresponding to the user's ribcage so as to maximize fit and comfort ofwaistband. Compression posture support garment can include two shoulderstraps. Shoulder straps can be sized and dimensioned to be adjustablycoupled to waistband, on one end, and fixedly coupled to back portion onthe other end. For example, shoulder strap can be adjustably coupled towaistband using one or more fasteners configured to selectably adjustthe length of shoulder straps. For example, one or more fasteners can bea D-ring buckle, tongue buckle, hook and loop closure, ladder lock,side-release buckle, or any other type of fastener known in the art.

In use, a user can slide shoulder straps around their shoulders toposition compression posture support garment against their spine, wrapthe waistband around their torso, fasten the waistband around theirtorso to secure compression posture support garment on their body, andadjust the length of shoulder straps for a comfortable and custom fit.As a result, shoulder straps apply pressure on the user's shouldersrelative to their spine and compression posture support garmentstraightens the user's shoulders and aligns their back. Compressionposture support garment can help a user minimize slouching, hunchingover, or text neck. For example, back portion of compression posturesupport garment can provide a compressive force on a user's thoracicvertebrae thereby aligning their back while the shoulder strapsstraighten the user's shoulders encouraging improved alignment of thevertebrae and thereby improving the user's posture.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, compression posture supportgarment can include multiple layers. For example, compression posturecan include outer layer, middle layer, inner upper layer, and innerlower layer. According to certain exemplary embodiment, the compressionposture support garment can be constructed of a combination ofpolyester, neoprene, cotton, or spandex, and hemp fiber. According tocertain exemplary embodiment, the compression posture support garmentcan be constructed of a combination of polyester, neoprene, and hempfiber. For example, outer layer and inner lower layer can be constructedof polyester, middle layer can be constructed of neoprene, and innerupper layer can be constructed of a combination of polyester and hempfiber. According to certain exemplary embodiments, inner upper layer canbe constructed of approximately 70-95% polyester and approximately 5-30%hemp fiber. Alternatively, the materials can be varied to includedifferent proportions of cotton, spandex, and hemp fiber. For example,the compression posture support garment can include approximately 5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, etc. hemp fiber. In apreferred embodiment, the compression posture support garment can beconstructed of approximately 92% polyester and approximately 8% hempfiber.

In another embodiment of this disclosure, a novel compression sock isprovided, to help, for example, people who encounter the circumstancethat blood pools in legs or feet, thereby causing swelling to occur.Compression socks can push blood towards the heart instead of allowingit to pool, thus relieving swelling. Compression socks can also helprelieve pain and increase circulation to alleviate (or largely avoid)swollen, numb legs when the user sits or stands too long. The increasedblood flow and circulation can also reduce inflammation. The user mayeven find that the compression sock helps energize tired, achy legs forfast relief.

Unlike conventional compression socks which can trap heat and sweat,compression socks with moisture-wicking hemp fibers deployed therein(or, for example, woven with hemp fibers) can keep the user's feet cooland dry, and in comfort.

In some exemplary embodiments, hemp fibers are dispersed throughout thematerial of the sock. On the other hand, since there is a tendency forgreater wear and tear in the toe and heel areas of a sock, in certainother exemplary embodiments, hemp fibers are dispersed or woven into thematerial of the sock such that the density of hemp fibers in the toe andheel areas (FIG. 18) of a compression sock is greater than that inremaining portions of the sock. In a preferred embodiment, the materialsin the toe and heel areas are constituted by 46% cotton, 30% polyester,20% hemp, and 4% lycra, and the materials in the remaining areas of thecompression sock are constituted by 65% polyester, 20% nylon, and 15%lycra. In another preferred embodiment, the materials in the toe andheel areas are constituted by 46% cotton, 19% polyester, 31% hemp, and4% spandex, and the materials in the remaining areas of the compressionsock are constituted by 54% polyester, 37% nylon, and 9% spandex.

The embodiments and examples discussed herein and shown in the attacheddrawings are merely illustrative, and many variations can be introducedto them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Forexample, elements and/or features of different illustrative andexemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/orsubstituted with each other within the scope of the disclosure.

Additional variations may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart from reading U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/865,416 filed onJun. 24, 2019 and entitled “COMPRESSION GARMENTS”, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compression garment to provide compressivesupport to a portion of a human body, the compression garment comprisinghemp fibers disposed in, or woven into, a material of at least a portionof the compression garment.
 2. The compression garment of claim 1,wherein the hemp fibers impart an anti-microbial or anti-bacterialproperty to at least said portion of the compression garment.
 3. Thecompression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers reduces odor inat least said portion of the compression garment.
 4. The compressiongarment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart a moisture wickingproperty to at least said portion of the compression garment.
 5. Thecompression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers enhance tensilestrength of at least said portion of the compression garment.
 6. Thecompression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart a coolingor soothing effect to at least said portion of the compression garment.7. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart aUV shielding property to at least said portion of the compressiongarment, to shield said portion of the human body compressivelysupported by the compressive garnet, from ultraviolet radiation.
 8. Thecompression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers are disposed inparts of the compression garment that are otherwise more susceptible, inuse, to wear and tear.
 9. The compression garment of claim 1, whereinthe compression garment is one of a glove, a posture support device, apair of pants, a pair of leggings or tights, a pair of shorts, a longsleeve top, a short sleeve top, and a sock.
 10. The compression garmentof claim 1, wherein the compression garment is constructed of one ormore of cotton, spandex, lycra, elastane, neoprene, nylon and polyester,in addition to the hemp fibers.
 11. The compression garment of claim 1,wherein hemp fibers are dispersed in, or woven into a material of, someportions of the compression sock, and no hemp fibers are dispersed in,or woven into a material of, some portions of the compression sock. 12.The compression garment of claim 1, wherein a density of hemp fibersdispersed in, or woven into a material of, some portions of thecompression garment is greater than that in other portions of thecompression garment.